Explosive Energy: A Night with Wayward Sons in Nottingham

20 January 2024 rocknews

Returning from his world travels Toby Jepson is back in his favourite place to be on a cold Friday night in January which, if you didn’t already know, is Nottingham! More to the point it is centre stage fronting the fantastic Wayward Sons Band to an enthusiastic crowd inside the cities Rescue Rooms venue. By his sides are guitarist Sam Wood and bassist Nic Wastell. Behind them pounding the Skins is Phil ‘Martini’ Martin.

The Heavy Souls

Supporting the Wayward Sons are two great local bands. The Heavy Souls are first up and the hat wearing Sheffield foursome perform a seven-song set in their bluesy/heavy rock infused style. The drummer who is positioned centre front of the stage stole the show from the other members of the band as he calls out and gestures to the crowd to show their encouragement. Check The Heavy Souls out by streaming a track or two and if they are supporting a band that you have tickets for, make sure you get to the venue early enough to see them perform.

MuddiBrooke

With the fierce rivalry between the two cities in the East Midlands MuddiBrooke announce themselves to the crowd gathered in the Rescue Rooms and told them that the venue was a home townish gig as the trio of musicians come from Derby. The room rings out with friendly heckles to the band from the floor in front of them. Lead singer Brooke, complete with war paint make up, opened their eight-song set with ADHD. Bassist Anna Melidone provided vocal support and Morgan Pettigrew plays the drums. The band perform their cover of “You Don’t Own Me” and have the crowd singing along to “Liverpool Guy”. MuddiBrooke complete their set with a great song called “Cellar”. Muddierooke are a band I’ll be adding to my playlist, and you should too! Look out for them performing near you, they are a great band to see live.

Wayward Sons

With the energy dials turned up to eleven Wayward Sons explode on to the compact Rescue Rooms Stage. From the first to the last song the band put in maximum effort and looked like they were really enjoying themselves. Opening the nineteen-song set with “Big Day” it wasn’t long before the crowd raise their hands in encouragement. Powering through their set, Wayward Sons blasted song after song out of the venues PA at a pace. “Feel Good Hit”, “Be Still” and “Don’t Wanna Go” amongst them.

The only time the tempo slowed was when Toby requested the audience participate by clapping along, with his eyes surveying the crowd Jepson was only prepared to go on if everyone from the back to the front, the balcony to the floor had their arms in the air supporting the band.

Underpinning the music are the bass notes coming from Nic Wastell’s guitar. Stood to the side of frontman Toby, Nic looks like he’s having the time of his life as he plays, spinning and jumping around. From time-to-time Nic ventures to the front of the stage his foot planted firmly on the monitor and bass guitar pointing towards the sky as he plays.

The last time I saw the brilliant Sam “I play in loads of bands” Woods was when he was performing with The Black Star Riders. Sam provides vocal support and some of the best guitar playing you will see. With flailing hair and loads of stage movement Sam took it upon himself to single out nearly every member of the audience giving them one of his massive Sam Wood smiles.

Drummer Phil “Martini” Martin bounced as he thumped away at the rear of the stage. Periodically through the show Phil was visited by the rest of the band exchanging smiles as they play. Several occasions the bands drum tech appeared on stage to adjust the kit and Phil being the pro he is didnt miss a beat. Continuing the set which consists of material from their four album catalogue the Wayward Sons play “Radio Denial”, “Crush” and “Fake’ which I’m sure I head the Banana Splits theme as they closed out the song. Toby Jepson gave some good news to the crowd, announcing that the band will be on the festival scene and recording some new material (I’m looking forward to that! Early review copies please Toby). Also announced was the possibility of a second tour at the end of the year (put my name down for that!!). Ending the regular set with “Until The End” the band leave the stage before their encore of three songs. As the band return Toby explains that he never saw the point of going off stage but tonight he needed it to get his breath back. being witness to his performance, I know Toby has put everything in to entertaining the crowd tonight along with the rest of the band. The encore songs included “Ghost”, “Jokes On You” and for the first time “Totally Screwed”. Each song was performed with the same vigour shown throughout the set. Great show guys as always.

It’s easy to recommend going to a Wayward Sons gig they have got it just about right in every aspect. Their music is great, they interact with the crowd, they put everything into their performance, their merch is a great price (£20 for a T-shirt) and the crowd absolutely love them. Get yourself a ticket and have a great night.